OKEHAMPTON Running Club had a good turnout of runners at the Bideford 10k on Sunday. There were near perfect conditions at this popular race that takes the runners from the start on the quay out to Instow along the road, returning to Bideford via the Tarka Trail with a final sprint back along the quay.

The fast and flat nature of the course has made this an excellent opportunity for personal bests and several Okehampton runners produced their fastest 10k times so far here.

First home for the club was Andy Vernon with a great run to finish in 39 minutes 57 seconds, coming third in the MV50 age category. Not far behind him was Hayden Bond, improving on his time he set at the Newport 10k two weeks ago in a great time of 40.35, with Graham Bryant next in 42.08. Jo Page, now a well established racer was the first ORC lady home to clock another PB in 45.54.

Tom Andrew, winner of the best newcomer award on Friday, proved himself a worthy winner by producing a PB here, coming home in 48.22, with Karen King, another first timer at this distance next in 48.42. Jo Bradford, winner of the most improved female award, showed she has every intention of continuing to set herself new targets and keep improving with a great run here, finishing in 49.07 – a new PB by over four minutes. Not far behind, having shadowed Jo for most of the race, was Jane Jackson, taking a weekend off from her Ultra marathon training to give her legs a rest after the Hartland Hartbreaker the week before. Jane finished in 49.37 to come third FV60 and attain her platinum award. Gaz Williams was also a first timer over the 10k distance and had a good run to finish in 53.06 while Jo Burrow is improving all the time and was very pleased to come home in 57.38 to get on the awards chart for the new season.

Emma Cunnington was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis just over three years ago and had to stop running for sometime, but recently came back to run with the club and was thrilled to complete her first race in years in 1.02.26, not far off her old times for 10k.

Other ORC times; Mike Westland; 50.47, Geraldine Walter; 53.41, Chris Fullford Brown; 55.16, Liam Keen; 58.51, Vicky Hall; 1.00.21, Rachel Haydon; 1.00.25, Louise Dennis; 1.03.27.

One Okehampton runner chose a different 10k at the weekend, with Jane Richardson taking part in the Ivybridge 10k on Saturday evening. The last 6km of the route are almost all downhill and Jane had a good run finishing in 1.06.13.

ORC Abi Colton ran the Bristol 10k and was pleased to finish in 52.24, well under her predicted time. Abi is currently living in Bristol so is unable to train with the club but is still much a member and happy to fly the flag for ORC there.